Does Age Matter in Language Learning?

SHARE:

Over the years of teaching Cebuano to different foreigners, I have been asked a million times about who learns a language faster:  a young l...


Over the years of teaching Cebuano to different foreigners, I have been asked a million times about who learns a language faster:  a young learner or a senior learner?  I have a prepared answer to that question, of course, I would say it's the younger learner.  Now, you might ask me why.  I always go back to that course I had in my university days when I was studying language teaching.  According to Noam Chomsky,  everyone has a Language Acquisition Device or LAD that enables infants to acquire and produce a language.  Though that theory is still being contested, and scientists believe that it is a pseudoscience, I am a major supporter and believer of the LAD.  

Language starts and develops gradually as an infant grows until he/she becomes an adult.  Language begins with the creation of sounds, then producing words, phrases, sentences then longer proses.  

Now, this doesn't mean that seniors can no longer learn a new language.  In fact, they should learn a new language because it keeps their brain active and stimulated.  Having to master new vocabulary, recalling it everyday, writing it down, reading it out loud, practicing dialogues, all these stimulate the brain and increase its activity.   Seniors will take more time in acquiring a new language though because of different 'baggages,' factors that weigh them down.  For example, problems or issues about their jobs, children, relationships, finances, and others are mental baggages that prevent them from devoting time in language learning, thus slowing down their ability to learn the language.  

On the other hand, children are in what we call the "tabula rasa state."  Their minds are like sponges that absorb things around them.  They mimic what they hear and retain them easily.  That is why children learn many languages simultaneously.   When I was growing up, I was exposed to three languages daily, so I speak them fluently.  And there was another one that I could hear often but I paid no mind so I did not learn it at all except for an isolated word or phrase that stuck in my mind and are hardly useful.  

So what I'm saying is, it is better to start learning languages at an early age because retention is more permanent and faster.  On the other hand, it is not impossible for seniors to learn a language, they just need more time and put more effort in learning a new language .    
 

COMMENTS

https://cointiply.com/img/promo/banners/2_300x250.gif
https://cointiply.com/img/promo/banners/2_300x250.gif
https://www.citibank.com.ph/share-rewards/?media=-5305028761&scode=RBSBMBAM&ecid=MGCPBPHCCAENRF
Name

.,1,Active voice,2,actor focus,2,adjective,5,adjectives,1,adlaw,3,Advance vocabulary,8,Advertisement,1,Advice to readers,1,Ako,1,appreciation in Cebuano,1,asa,1,Bag-ong Tuig,1,baka,1,balay,1,bangko,1,barangay,1,barangay. kita-kits,1,Basic Bisaya,6,Basic Cebuano,21,basic cebuano dialogue,5,basic Cebuano grammar,3,basic expressions,14,Basic Grammar,3,Basic sentences,2,Basic Visayan,11,Basic Visayan Conversation,1,basic Visayan dialogue,2,basic Visayan grammar,1,basic vocabulary,5,basic vocabulary.,11,basic vocabulary. Cebuano Essential Vocabulary,2,baso,1,Beloved students,2,Binisaya grammar,7,Binisaya Jokes,5,Binisaya language,26,Binisaya learning,21,Binisaya lessons,26,Binisaya to English translation; video translation,1,Binisaya vocabulary,4,Binisaya vocabulary.,14,Bisaya expressions,3,Bisaya folk literature,1,Bisaya for foreigners,1,Bisaya for Tourists,1,Bisaya grammar,2,Bisaya lessons,15,Bisaya literary forms,1,Bisaya Teacher,4,Bisaya tutor,3,Bisaya version; Cebuano version,1,Bisaya Vocabulary,39,Bisayan Lessons,1,Bisayan Lessons.,5,Bisayan Lessons. Bisayan Vocabulary,4,Bisayan Lessons. How to introduce yourself,3,Bisayan Vocabulary,16,body parts,2,Bohol,1,buok,1,buwan,1,buying food,3,c,1,Cebu,1,Cebu prepositions,1,Cebuano,15,Cebuano answers,2,Cebuano colors,2,Cebuano conjunctions,1,cebuano conversation,2,Cebuano culture,8,Cebuano dialogue,3,Cebuano Essential Vocabulary,10,Cebuano Essentials,40,Cebuano essentials.,7,Cebuano expressions,4,Cebuano Expressions and Visayan Phrases;How to Avert Unwanted Attention,9,Cebuano Features,1,Cebuano for foreigners,1,Cebuano for Tourists,1,Cebuano grammar,29,Cebuano Grammar; Ayaw,4,Cebuano grammar; Cebuano verbal sentences,4,Cebuano grammar; Visayan grammar,3,Cebuano grammar; Visayan grammar; Bisayang grammar,4,Cebuano grammar.,7,Cebuano idioms,1,Cebuano Jokes,2,Cebuano language,24,Cebuano learning,13,Cebuano Lesson,5,Cebuano lessons,18,Cebuano markers,2,Cebuano native speakers,1,Cebuano particles,1,Cebuano patterns,3,Cebuano phrases,3,Cebuano pronouns.,1,Cebuano Pronunciation,1,Cebuano questions,3,Cebuano sentences,4,Cebuano situationers,2,Cebuano statement,1,Cebuano Subtitles,1,Cebuano Teacher,5,Cebuano Terminology,1,Cebuano to English translation,10,Cebuano travel,1,Cebuano tutor,3,Cebuano useful expressions,11,Cebuano verbs,1,Cebuano vocabulary,21,Cebuano vocabulary. Visayan vocabulary,11,Cebuano.Bisaya numbers,4,civil service,1,classroom activity,1,common food items,3,community development,1,counters,1,counting in Visayan,2,culture and traditions,11,culture matters,11,Culture Notes,8,Culture of Filipinos,5,Culture of Filipinos.,2,Dear Papa Joe,1,DED,1,descriptive words,3,diin ka gikan,1,dili ganahan,1,dining with Filipinos,1,Dodong,1,dos,1,duha,1,Easy Cebuano,1,Eating etiquette,2,enclitics,1,Enclitics; Visayan Enclitics; Cebuano Enclitics; essential expressions,2,English to Binisaya Translation,3,environment and climate change,1,Essential Bisaya,1,Essential Cebuano Grammar,2,etc.,1,expressing basic needs,1,expressing physical discomforts,1,expressions regarding food,3,Famous Cebuano Food.,1,Filipino culture,10,Filipino Holidays,1,Filipino practices,2,Filipinos,1,Food in Cebu,2,food tastes,2,functions,1,future,1,ganahan,1,ganahan kaayo,1,gatas,1,gikan,1,GIZ,1,governance and democracy,1,Gusto ka,1,Gusto ko,1,Gusto siya,1,Handy Expressions,1,health conditions,1,hiwa,1,how to say in Cebuano,3,humanitarian,1,humor,1,Ikaw,1,important announcement,1,Inday,1,Infinitive form,1,Intensifier "kaayo",1,iskuylahan,1,Japanese learning Cebuano,1,jis,1,kalbasa,1,kamatis,1,Kami,1,kang kinsa,1,kanunay,1,kanus-a,1,kapayas. Cebuano food,1,kilo,2,kinsa,1,Kita,1,kwatru,1,Language Learners,2,Language learning tips,2,Language learning tips.,2,Learn Bisaya,5,learn Cebuano,11,Learn Cebuano Language,4,Learn Visayan,2,Learning Bisaya,4,Learning Cebuano,4,Learning Tagalog,1,Learning Visayan,3,learninq Bisaya,1,Leyter,1,lima,1,linker ka,2,linker nga,1,local culture,3,local fruits,1,mangga,1,mansanas,2,marker,1,marketing,1,medyo,1,Memorizing Vocabularies.,1,Mga hayop,1,Mga kahayopan,1,Mga Pagsaulog Cebuano Vocabulary,1,mga panghinaut,1,Mindanao,1,modifier,1,Mother's day in Binisaya,1,munisipyo,1,napulo.,1,Negros Oriental,1,ngano,1,noun,1,nuybi,1,object focus,1,Oras,1,ordering food,2,pagkaon,1,pakwan,1,Pamilya,1,panagsa,1,Panay Island,1,Pasalamat ug pagdayeg,2,Passive Voice,1,past,1,Peace and order,1,Philippine culture and traditions,4,Photo Gallery,1,pila,2,pisot,1,Pista Opisyal,1,pito,1,place of origin,1,possessive pronouns,1,prior engagement,1,question words,2,Quick Cebuano,1,Resources for travelers to Cebu,1,Romantic Cebuano Expressions,1,Romantic Expressions in Cebuano; Romantic Bisaya; Learn Cebuano,1,rural developpment,1,sabaw.,1,Safety and Security conditions in the Philippines,2,saging,1,sakay,1,Sakyanan,1,Salamat,1,Samar,1,Sari-sari,2,says,1,security and peace-building,1,Self-introduction in Binisaya,1,Self-Introduction in Cebuano,3,Sila,1,simana,1,simple descriptive sentences,2,sinehan,1,singku,1,Siquijor,1,siti,1,Siya,1,siyam,1,social development,1,Society and Culture,1,Spanish numbers,1,Speak Cebuano like a native,1,Special occasions,1,students learning Visayan...,1,Study Cebuano,5,Subject Pronouns,2,Sugilanon,1,Sunstar Daily,1,Survival Cebuano,3,Survival Visayan Expressions,2,Taga-diin,1,Tagpila,2,Tambagi ko 'Noy Kulas,1,Thank you,2,Tigmo-tigmo,1,time-telling in Cebuano,1,time=telling in Visayan,1,tindahan,1,Trabaho,1,translation from Cebuano to English,6,tres,1,trilled r,1,tuig,1,tulo,1,typical cebuano greetings,1,unaspirated,1,uno,1,unom,1,unsa,1,unsaon,1,upat,1,usa,1,usa duha tulo upat lima unum pito walo siyam napulo,1,usahay,1,Useful tips,1,Useful Expressions,8,Useful Greetings,2,Useful terms,4,Useful Tips,2,Useful verbs,1,useful vocabulary,6,utsu,1,Verbs,1,Video translation,1,Visayan,1,Visayan expressions,1,Visayan Grammar,6,Visayan greetings,2,Visayan Jokes,2,Visayan language,3,Visayan lessons,4,Visayan linkers,1,Visayan nouns,1,Visayan Numbers,2,Visayan phonology,1,Visayan phrases,2,Visayan Phrases; Cebuano useful expressions,1,Visayan Phrases;Cebuano useful expressions,2,Visayan sentence markers,1,Visayan sentences,1,Visayan sentences.,1,Visayan statements,2,Visayan teacher,1,Visayan to English Translation,4,Visayan tutor,1,Visayan verbal sentences.,2,Visayan video,1,Visayan vocabulary,7,Visayan vocabulary.,1,Visayan vocabulary. Cebuano vocabulary,1,Visayan words,2,Visayan-speaking area,2,Visayas,2,wa gyud/di gyud,1,walo,1,Waray-waray,1,What Cebuanos like to eat,1,What to eat in Cebu,1,When in the Philippines,1,When invited by a Filipino,1,Where are you from in Cebuano,1,Word of the day,1,Writinq a blog,1,y linker,1,yes/no questions in Cebuano,2,your teacher,1,youtube lessons,1,
ltr
item
Cebuano Teacher: Does Age Matter in Language Learning?
Does Age Matter in Language Learning?
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_xRdXu5LOi4KwQGoxZBoDzE6cGbdWuyZVa_m7pK2R5IYhBH48B-AtJZv_KK-5ibziwbEgAntJUOwJoJIyQmp5riI_1tPiUKYUMC1NNXbudF17mkc92Sel3T1JzX8jiYN0B3Ma6WVVG4/w200-h181/mommyseniors.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_xRdXu5LOi4KwQGoxZBoDzE6cGbdWuyZVa_m7pK2R5IYhBH48B-AtJZv_KK-5ibziwbEgAntJUOwJoJIyQmp5riI_1tPiUKYUMC1NNXbudF17mkc92Sel3T1JzX8jiYN0B3Ma6WVVG4/s72-w200-c-h181/mommyseniors.jpg
Cebuano Teacher
https://www.cebuanoteacher.com/2021/01/does-age-play-role-in-language-learning.html
https://www.cebuanoteacher.com/
https://www.cebuanoteacher.com/
https://www.cebuanoteacher.com/2021/01/does-age-play-role-in-language-learning.html
true
843253592942908974
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Readmore Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS CONTENT IS PREMIUM Please share to unlock Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy